Small Towns - Getting things funded and getting things done

Every small town feels the pinch of trying to do more within the budget. Grant funding can help bridge the gap, but it takes time, writing skill, and coordination to develop grant proposals that get funded. Once a project is funded, who will take on the project? Existing staff members already have more than enough to do without chasing down the details of one more big thing.

Our team helps small towns to prioritize needs, consider the budget ramifications, and put together applications. Then we help carry out projects by doing the calling, writing and emailing and other work to see it through to completion. We've worked with towns ranging in population from 40 to 12,000 and projects up to $1.3 million.

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Meet Becky McCray

Becky McCray is the founder and principal of Becky McCray and Associates, since 2005. She has worked as a city administrator, a small business owner, and a nonprofit executive.

Helping small cities and towns with projects brings together Becky's diverse experience. She excels at creating plans, moving projects forward, drawing together teams of people, and generating results. Her grant writing skills have brought over $1 million into Northwest Oklahoma communities for essential projects.

She has completed six courses in grant writing and fund development, as well as training in city planning, economic development, facilitation, municipal budgeting, negotiation, collaboration building, community development, workforce development and legislative advocacy. She completed a BS in Business Administration at Northwestern Oklahoma State University in Alva and holds a Quality Leader certificate from the University of Oklahoma and Workforce Oklahoma Education and Training Association.

Becky now lives in Hopeton, Oklahoma.

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Meet Laurie Reyes

Laurie Reyes brings four years of frontline experience in small town government. She administered grants, worked hands on in accounting, and assisted the city administrator in the City of Waynoka.She worked with all departments, including the ambulance service.

Laurie completed training in all areas of municipal administration. She also holds Business Management and Administration certification at Northwest Technology Center in Alva.

She grew up in Enid, and now lives in Waynoka.

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Meet Karen Payne

Karen Payne grew up near Carrier, Oklahoma, and currently resides in Waynoka.

She joined Becky McCray and Associates in 2008, providing grant writing and project management. Her special focus is on fire department support.

Karen has served on the Waynoka City Council, Planning Commission, Century Community Committee, and many other municipal offices. She completed special training in municipal planning issues, grant writing, and many other topics.

She completed three degrees from Northwestern Oklahoma State University. A career educator, she has retired from teaching, and currently works part time as the library media specialist for Freedom Public School. She also owns Cimarron Wine and Spirits in Waynoka.

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